The Manager Track

In this episode of The Manager Track podcast, host Ramona Shaw welcomes Shawn Stewart, an engineering leader and avid chess player, to explore parallels between chess and effective leadership. Shawn shares how chess principles and plays can enhance our strategic thinking and adaptability, and can even help us navigate office dynamics. He discusses anticipating changes, developing pattern recogniti...

As leaders climb the ranks and take on more responsibilities, it becomes increasingly challenging to determine if they're focusing their limited time on what truly matters. This question often arises in coaching conversations, and it's a crucial aspect of effective leadership. In this episode of The Manager Track podcast, Ramona Shaw discusses the factors to consider in how we spend our time, and...

In this episode, Ramona Shaw tackles the victim mindset in leadership. She explores how feeling powerless and blaming external factors can hold leaders (and employees) back. Ramona shares real-life examples and practical tips to shift from feeling stuck to taking charge. This is going to address both how leaders get themselves out of a victim mindset and how they can help their direct reports who...

In this powerful episode, Ramona hosts a panel of experts to discuss the critical topic of mental health awareness for leaders in the workplace. Dr. Quevarra Moten, Graham Nicholls, and Clarice Colón share invaluable insights on creating supportive work cultures, recognizing signs of mental health struggles, and leading with empathy and vulnerability. This frank discussion highlights how essential...

In this episode of The Manager Track podcast, Ramona Shaw expands on the art of executive communication. Building on the foundation laid in a previous episode about the executive mindset, Ramona provides valuable insights and practical tactics to enhance your communication with senior leaders and executives. Ramona tells the story of a pivotal moment in her career where a misstep in executive comm...

In this episode of the Manager Track Podcast, host Ramona Shaw discusses the effective use of generative AI tools like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Claude for enhancing people leadership tasks. She outlines eight specific use cases, including crafting personal user guides, improving interview questions, creating onboarding plans, setting goals, drafting weekly updates, problem-solving, preparing for conve...

In this eye-opening episode, Ramona goes in-depth on the ongoing impact of patriarchal attitudes toward leadership in the workplace. She explains how qualities viewed as more "masculine," like assertiveness and decisiveness, are still prized over "feminine" strengths like empathy and collaboration. Using real-world examples and studies, Ramona points out the male-centric bias that underlies popula...

Have you ever made a sound decision that turned out poorly, only to be harshly judged (or to harshly judge yourself) in hindsight? It's a common trap: we often evaluate decisions based on their outcomes, ignoring the quality of the decision-making process itself. But what if that unlucky choice was actually the best decision given the information available at the time? Making decisions is a core r...

In this episode of The Manager Track podcast, Ramona sits down with Rusty Komori, an Executive Coach and former head tennis coach who has redefined what it means to excel. Rusty isn't just talking about being good, or even great—he's talking about becoming superior. Listen in on their conversation to discover why welcoming adversity could be your secret weapon, how to spot the hidden communication...

Feedback is a cornerstone of effective leadership. Your ability to provide constructive criticism and recognition is crucial for team improvement, engagement, and achieving organizational goals. New leaders, in particular, often face the challenge of giving employees direct and candid feedback when they're still trying to establish trust and respect from the team. And this comes at a cost to both...

There are multiple inflection points throughout our careers, but one of the most significant is the move from an IC to a management role. Another critical juncture is when our technical expertise becomes less valuable, and our leadership skills and executive mindset become paramount. And that's what this week's episode of The Manager Track podcast is about. Ramona outlines 7 key elements of cultiv...

Workplace relationships can be challenging. It takes time to get to know people at work, understand their often differing styles, and to develop trust. And chances are high that there is at least one in the group that we find 'difficult' to work with. And while our communication skills and competencies tend to improve as we climb the ranks, there is also a greater chance of having to navigate tric...

Do you need everything to be perfect before moving forward? Perfectionism can be a powerful motivator for leaders, but it can also hinder productivity, creativity, and growth for both the leaders and their teams. In this episode, Ramona delves into the impact of perfectionism on leaders and how it can create internal conflicts. She highlights the signs that indicate when perfectionism is becoming...

Ever wondered how technology, like artificial intelligence (AI), might be changing the role of managers? It's an interesting thought experiment but it's not that far-fetched. In this episode of The Manager Track podcast, we're diving into that very topic. We'll explore how AI is shaking things up in the workplace and what it means for you as a leader. Here's the thing: As AI gets smarter, it will...

Consistency is a good thing, right? But what if you are being consistent just for the sake of consistency, and you lose sight of your real goal? For example, Ramona recently realized that she consistently went to the gym because she focused on being consistent. However, she got comfortable with the routine and lost sight of the real goal: gaining more strength and improving her endurance. Of cours...

Ever feel like you have countless unread emails, endless chat messages, a week full of meetings, and not nearly enough time to get to your to-do list? If you've ever felt like you just can't keep up with all the demands of your role as a new manager, this episode will help you identify what might be getting in the way. Ramona puts several common challenges managers face under the microscope to hel...

Daring to sound cliché... but I'm pretty sure you've heard phrases like, "Think about what you are thinking about," and "Our thoughts become our beliefs, and our beliefs become our action." But have you ever had someone call out your mental blind spots? Do you know what mental traps might be impacting your effectiveness as a leader? Would you be able to recognize them yourself? In this episode, Ra...

Have you ever thought about conducting your hiring process in the Metaverse? Or considered investing in an everboarding training strategy for your employees? These are just some of the many topics you'll hear about in this week's podcast episode. Ramona is joined by three learning and development (L&D) leaders for an insightful conversation on how to best support first-time managers. The panel...

GenAI isn't a trend or a fad that will eventually fade. It is crucial for leaders to not only understand it but also be involved in conversations and early initiatives regarding GenAI's use in their workplace. But now, let's get a bit more tactical. GenAI is impacting business strategies, workflows, and employee productivity. However, leaders can also leverage it to improve communication with thei...

Imagine that sinking feeling when you realize you may have to let someone go from your team. It's one of the most difficult situations a manager faces. In most cases, the manager has been feeling this tugging going on for a while but has put it off, hoping that things would improve. But at some point they have to face the inevitable. What's worse, if they were the one that hired this employee, the...

Do great leaders make history, or does history make great leaders? Whether it’s a political upheaval like what Napoleon faced, an economic depression as with Roosevelt, or a company facing an existential challenge, great leaders have historically grasped these moments as opportunities for significant change. In fact, the desire to bring about positive change and make a difference is a common threa...

Ever had that moment when what you said or did unexpectedly turned someone's mood sour? As a leader, handling dissatisfaction within your team is inevitable and can require emotional intelligence and managerial finesse. While it can be uncomfortable delivering news or making decisions that not everyone likes, it's your responsibility as a leader to make tough calls when needed. So how can you navi...

Can you recall that last conversation you had with someone when you noticed they weren't fully present with you and giving you their fullest attention? Maybe they checked their phones every so often, maybe they were watching people walking by, or they were more interested telling you about their own experiences rather than trying to really hear and understand what you were trying to communicate. H...

Leadership is not just about setting direction; it's also about revealing vulnerabilities. In this episode, Ramona and guest, Shawn Stewart, discuss the importance of transparency and vulnerability in leadership. Shawn Stewart is a highly respected leader with substantial experience in the engineering sector. Currently holding the title of VP of Engineering at EcoCart, Shawn has spent over two dec...

In this captivating episode of The Manager Track podcast, host Ramona Shaw welcomes a distinguished guest, Richard Triggs, renowned for his innovative approach to executive recruitment. Richard shares invaluable insights on navigating the job market and retaining exceptional talent within organizations, providing a glimpse into the strategies that have underpinned the success of Arete Executives....